Member and Community Awards

Different awards require different sets of documentation. Review the nomination forms for the awards you’re interested in to make sure you have everything you need for your submission. Make that submission a group effort! Enlist the help of colleagues and volunteers for getting the nomination ready so your nominee can get the recognition they deserve.

Take a look at the awards and guidelines below, and share them with your colleagues so we can identify as many worthy recipients as possible! 

View the Award Guidelines here. 

Advocate of the Year

• The NEA-New Mexico Advocate of the Year shall be presented to one member who is a current active member of NEA-NM at the time of nomination.
• The Board of Directors will choose from the region award recipients.
• The award at the region and state level is to honor exemplary program delivery in any NEA-New Mexico area (i.e. education issues, communications, political action, employee rights, etc.)
• NEA-New Mexico will reimburse the honoree’s state membership dues for the upcoming year. 

Submission deadline: No later than the last Friday of February. The award will be given at the following Delegate Council. 

Nomination Form: Advocate of the Year

ESP of the Year

• The NEA-New Mexico Education Support Professional of the Year Award shall be presented to one member who is a current active ESP member of NEA-NM and has been presented an ESP of the Year Award at the region level.
• The award at the region and state level is to honor exemplary service to education, the Association, children, and the community.
• The NEA-New Mexico ESP of the Year who receives the award at the Delegate Council shall be NEA-New Mexico’s nominee for the NEA ESP of the Year the following school year. In the event the nominee no longer qualifies for active ESP membership, the Board of Directors will select an alternate to submit for the NEA ESP of the Year Award.
• NEA-New Mexico will reimburse the honoree’s state membership dues for the upcoming year.

Submission deadline: No later than the last Friday of February. The award will be given at the following Delegate Council.

Nomination Form: Education Support Professional of the Year

Human & Civil Rights

• The NEA-New Mexico Human and Civil Rights Award shall be presented to one member who is a current active member of NEA-NM at the time of nomination.
• The Board of Directors will choose from the region award recipients.
• The award at the region and state level is to recognize an active member who advocates for equal opportunities for all students.
• State or Region nominees may be submitted to NEA for recognition through the NEA Human and Civil Rights program in the appropriate category.
• A donation of $250.00 will be made by NEA-NM in the name of the honoree to a local, state or national organization/program of the honoree’s choice. The recipient shall be a promoter of Human and Civil rights and a supporter of NEA’s core values. Final approval of the recipient will be made by the NEA-NM Board of Directors and/or the Leadership team.

Submission deadline: No later than the last Friday of February. The award will be given at the next following Delegate Council.

Nomination Form: Human and Civil Rights

NM Teaching Excellence Award/The NEA Foundation Award

• The New Mexico Teaching Award is given to a member recommended by the Board’s Recognition Committee and approved by the NEA-New Mexico Board of Directors from a list of region finalists.
• Honors a current, active member of NEA-NM who has shown exemplary service to education, the Association, children, and the community. 
• Each region selects a region nominee to compete for the state award. Each region nominee receives a $250 award from NEA-New Mexico, except for the region nominee chosen for the state award. The state awardee receives $1,000 from NEA-New Mexico and becomes NEA-New Mexico’s nominee for NEA’s National Foundation Award for Teaching Excellence. 
• Nominees must be active members for a minimum of three years. 

Submission deadline: No later than the Monday before Thanksgiving. The award will be given at the following Delegate Council.

Nomination Form: New Mexico Teaching Excellence

Friend of Education

• The NEA-New Mexico Friend of Education Award shall be presented to one individual or group outside of the Association or the field of education.
• The award at the region and state level is to honor exemplary service to education, the Association, children, and the community.

Submission deadline: No later than the last Friday of February. The award will be given at the following Delegate Council.

Nomination Form: Friend of Education

Business Friend of Education

• The NEA-New Mexico Business Friend of Education Award shall be presented to one business entity or organization honoree outside of the Association or of the field of education.
• The award at the region and state level is to honor exemplary action or commitment to public education in New Mexico.

Submission deadline: No later than the last Friday of February. The award will be given at the following Delegate Council.

Nomination Form: Business Friend of Education

Parental Involvement

• The NEA-New Mexico Parental Involvement Award shall be presented to one parent(s) or person(s) serving as a parent.
• The award at the region and state level is to recognize and honor the role parents play in the education of their children through involvement in the education process.

Submission deadline: No later than the last Friday of February. The award will be given at the following Delegate Council.

Nomination Form: Parental Involvement

Administrator Award

• Honors a member administrator who has shown exemplary service to education, the association, children and the community. The honoree is chosen by the Board of Directors from the pool of regional award recipients. The Board of Directors may choose an honoree if none are presented by a region. 

Submission deadline: No later than the last Friday of February. The award will be given at the following Delegate Council.

Nomination Form: Administrator Award